Salt Lake Sundance Dining Guide

Late January offers some of the coldest, greyest weeks of Utah's year, but after living here for five years we've learned to adapt. How, you might ask? Movies!  We love to stay inside and get warm with a big bowl of chili and a good movie during harsh weather. And even better, during the coldest few weeks of the year, we love to catch a few Sundance films every year.

If you're looking to experience Sundance this year but don't want to wrestle the crowds in Park City, might I recommend staying in Salt Lake?  The Salt Lake Sundance tickets are more available and offered at the best theaters in town. While you are out and about, you might as well make an evening of it and have a nice dinner out on the town. Here are a few of my recommendations for dinner near the Salt Lake Sundance screening rooms and theaters.

Near Broadway theater, you must check out the Copper Onion. It is a favorite of Salt Lake foodies, known for their ricotta dumplings and pork belly. They are serving up the latest trends in dining with a chic urban flare. With a wide variety of price ranges and amiable service, all members of your crowd will be pleased.

Near to the Rose Wagner theater I would highly recommend Eva. A personal downtown favorite of mine, Eva specializes in tapa-style dining with small plates and reasonable prices. Try several dishes, I haven't had anything ordinary here. Eva is also a great place for cocktails and dessert if you are hitting a late movie.

Pago, a small neighborhood restaurant, is conveniently right across the street from the Tower Theater at the 9th and 9th nieghborhood (a popular Salt Lake stomping ground). The chef at this classy restaurant creates dishes with local, seasonal ingredients making the menu interesting, accessible and enjoyable. To start your meal off right at Pago, you must try the Beehive Cheddar Gougeres, small cheese biscuits made with Utah's famous Beehive Cheese.

I hope you are as delighted as I am that our city holds one of the most famous and important film festivals around the world. Don't miss taking advantage of it. Plus, I think Sundance helps beat the winter blues.

For more restaurant reviews and photography, please visit my blog at The Vintage Mixer. Also, if you are looking for a guide on Salt Lake nightlife, I have several l posts you can read here.

Read more from Becky Rosenthal at http://www.thevintagemixer.com/.